You know how you can be working hard on a really hot day, spending hours helping your friend move (including getting that couch up three flights of twisting stairs), and you really could go for a beer. When it’s all done, someone hands you a cold Bud Light and it tastes like the best beer you’ve ever had?

It’s not. It’s no Stone IPA. Bud Light is barely passable most of the time. But in the right place at the right time it seems heaven sent.

That’s Jeremy Lin in New York right now.

He’s not a great point guard, but he’s the right guy in the right place at the right time.

Lin was a curiosity out of Harvard who caught people’s eye at Summer League two years ago for the same reasons he is succeeding in New York — he plays well off the pick and roll and attacks the paint with a vengance. He makes smart plays and is crafty getting to the hoop, and he can hit open teammates when the defense comes at him. This season he generates 43.7 percent of his offense as the pick-and-roll ball handler and shoots 60 percent in that role (via mysynergysports.com).

The Knicks haven’t had anything like this since the ‘Melo trade, and suddenly Mike D’Antoni’s offense looks like that thing we remember from Phoenix. The pace is being pushed, guys are getting dunks at the rim and wide-open threes. There is spacing and ball movement again.

And Lin gets all the credit for it. He deserves it, he has given the team energy.

We all know this isn’t going to last. Right? Zach Lowe talks about it at Sports Illustrated, too. There are reasons the Warriors and Rockets didn’t give him this kind of run. (Come on New York, deep down you know it, too.) First, it’s a small sample size of success. The fact Lin turns the ball over on 28 percent of the plays where he is the pick-and-roll ball handler hasn’t caught up with him yet. He has played against teams that struggle against the pick-and-roll defensively so far. Also, eventually Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire will come back and take the ball and shots.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for Lin in New York. He may not be the long-term answer, but he can be an answer. His style of play coming off the bench with some shooters around him could give the Knicks a formidable and fun second unit. He should stick for a while — so get the guy a place to live.

And right now — with Stoudemire and Anthony out a few more games — it’s going to be fun to watch him go against John Wall Wednesday then make Derek Fisher look slow and old on Friday.

New York should keep riding the Lin wave. Just know that eventually it will get to shore.

Phoenix Suns forward Kelly Oubre Jr. will undergo a minor procedure on his left thumb and miss the rest of the season, league sources told ESPN.

Oubre is expected to make a full recovery in four to six weeks, sources said.

This could be a blessing in disguise for Oubre, who’ll be a restricted free agent this summer. He ends his season on a high note on the court. There’s no opportunity for regression to the mean. This also isn’t an injury that will last long into the offseason.

The 23-year-old Oubre is a versatile defender. When his 3-pointer is falling, he looks really good. In a league that can’t get enough productive wings, he should draw a solid contract.

Kevin Durant gave you the nickname “Mr. Thunder.” Do you think the Thunder should eventually retire No. 35?

It’s their decision to make, but I would certainly think so. He’s meant a ton to Thunder basketball and spent a huge majority of his career here. A lot of these honors are just kind of what the team decides to do, and I think players are appreciative of them. I don’t get too worked up about it. I’ll let other people debate that, but to me, he’s a big part of what we did here.

The Thunder will probably retire Durant’s number. Time heals most wounds, likely including this one.

Durant spent eight seasons in Oklahoma City. He won MVP and made five All-NBA first teams and an All-NBA second team there. He helped the Thunder win 10 playoff series.

No matter when each player retires, Oklahoma City will almost certainly retire Russell Westbrook‘s number first. He’s the one who stayed.

But some time after that, I’d bet on Durant getting his number retired.

Covington has missed the last 34 games while recovering from a right knee bone bruise, originally suffered on December 31 at New Orleans. Covington had made improvements in his recovery and had progressed to on-court activities, in preparation to rejoin the team. However, he recently suffered a setback which will require further treatment before returning to the court and as a result, is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Rose has missed the last four games while experiencing soreness and swelling in his right elbow. An MRI taken Tuesday at Mayo Clinic Square revealed a chip fracture and a loose body in his elbow. The team and Rose are currently exploring further treatment options and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Teague has missed the last four games after reaggravating a left foot injury, originally suffered in December. On Tuesday, Teague received an injection designed to treat chronic inflammation. He will wear a boot and is scheduled to be reevaluated in approximately three weeks. He is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

The language – “expected to miss the remainder of the season” – allows the possibility of the players returning. But the Timberwolves wouldn’t set this expectation unless they were pretty certain the players were finished.

Covington deserved All-Star consideration, and maybe Minnesota would still be in the playoff mix if he remained healthy. He was also heading toward an All-Defensive team before getting hurt. I doubt 35 games, even at 34 minutes per game, will be enough to get him selected now. Paul George, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Draymond Green clearly belong ahead of him. Covington has an outside chance for that fourth spot, though.

Rose had a bounce-back year after it appeared he could fall out of the NBA entirely. He looks like a solid backup point guard. He’ll draw plenty of interest in free agency this summer.

Teague has a $19 million player option for next season. He already seemed likely to exercise it, and this only increases the odds. The 30-year-old had a relatively down season.

Teague’s and Rose’s absences will leave the ball in Tyus Jones‘ hands at point guard. Jones has looked good in a small role, and this offers him an opportunity to prove himself before restricted free agency this summer.

Importantly for Towns, Minnesota’s depth at point guard allows him to play with someone credible at the position while he attempts to finish the season strong. There’s a lot of room to produce for the Timberwolves now, though Towns will likely face double-teams even more frequently.